Hungarian Chili Bean Stew

Ah, yes 😋—Hungarian Chili Bean Stew (often called Babgulyás or Hungarian Bean Gulyás) is hearty, smoky, and perfect for cozy dinners. Here’s a full, authentic-style recipe:

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🌶️ Hungarian Chili Bean Stew

Ingredients (serves 4–6)

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil or lard

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 lb (450 g) dried or 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained if canned

• 1 lb (450 g) smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced (optional for non-vegetarian)

• 1–2 tsp Hungarian sweet paprika (or smoked paprika for depth)

• 1 tsp hot paprika or chili powder (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional, traditional flavor)

• 2 cups crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce

• 4 cups vegetable or beef broth

• 1 bell pepper, diced

• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• Optional garnish: sour cream, fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Prep beans (if using dried)

• Soak dried beans overnight in water.

• Drain and rinse before cooking.

• Boil beans in fresh water for 45–60 minutes until tender, then drain.

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2. Cook aromatics

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.

2. Sauté onion until translucent, 3–4 min.

3. Add garlic and caraway seeds; cook 30 seconds.

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3. Add spices & sausage

1. Stir in paprika (both sweet and hot) and black pepper.

2. Add sliced sausage, cook 2–3 minutes to release flavor.

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4. Add beans, tomatoes, and broth

1. Stir in beans, crushed tomatoes, and broth.

2. Add diced bell pepper.

3. Bring to a gentle simmer.

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5. Simmer

• Cover and cook 30–40 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally.

• Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

• If stew is too thick, add more broth or water; if too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce.

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6. Serve

• Ladle into bowls.

• Top with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle fresh parsley.

• Serve with crusty bread or rustic rolls.

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🌟 Tips & Variations

• Vegetarian: skip sausage; add smoked paprika and extra bell peppers or mushrooms for depth.

• Spicy: add chopped chili peppers or cayenne.

• Smoky richness: use smoked paprika and optionally a few strips of smoked bacon.

• Beans shortcut: canned beans cut cooking time dramatically.

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If you want, I can also make a “Hungarian Chili Bean Stew Instant Pot version” that cooks in under 1 hour—super convenient for busy weeknights